Why do manual techniques work?

Manual techniques facilitate healing!

You will get better if your circulation is optimal.

E.g. osteoarthritis. There's been evidence since at least 1988 that restoring nutrition to cartilage cells helps them regrow! Manual medicine used skillfully is great at restoring the balance in
your wrist, bones, and ankle ligaments. This increases the synovial fluid, which means the cartilage gets its nutrition, and the scar tissue can be reorganised.

How does osteopathy help?

Osteopathy treats the problem, not just the symptom.

A lot of pain comes from old injuries and biomechanical problems. If your collar bone is twisted, your totator cuff will get strained. Decompressing the collar bone is simple, effective, and safe.

If you sprained our ankle and twisted your knee, the swelling goes down and the ligament heals. Some of the twists persist and can cause knee/hip/lower back problems.

Many ITB problems come from poor ankle, knee, and hip mechanics.

What can you do about a "bulging" or "slipped" disc?

If you are blaming the disc for your problems, then you are someone who shoots the messenger.

Discs are the "meat" in the sandwich between vertebra. They are often the effect of a problem, not the cause. Discs are full of hydrophilic (water
loving) glycogen and act to absorb forces bettween bones. When a disc is "slipped" or "bulging," it is often because it has been compressed for such a long period that it becomes flatter, dehydrated, and scarred.

You must get your whole body untwisted to change the stresses at one or two major points. Muscle energy techniques and vertebral manipulation can help these stress points.

Why does a "click" help?

Joint manipulation is a useful tool when an area is mechanically compromised. According to most recent research, the click is a release of nitrogen gas. Some of this gas diffuses into the surrounding tissues as nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter
that increases blood flow and production of synovial fluid.

Do I need x-rays?

Bring what you have.

Overexposure to radiation is a serious issue, especially with young patients.

No MRI or CT scan can replace an intelligent and thorough physical and neurological examination. If x-rays are important to your diagnosis, we are qualified to request and refer.

Do I need to come back every week?

No.

It is our job to get rid of you as a patient as quickly as possible. Most problems respond to 4-5 treatments. We advise our patients, depending on who they are, for a check up every 6-12 weeks.

Is getting your neck cracked dangerous?

YES!!

Any technique used carelessly and without a good case history puts you at risk.

Do not let anyone manipulate your neck if:

you had previous reactions

you have blackouts or TIA's

you are diabetic

you have a history of strokes or blood clots

you have any significant congenital anomalies such as spina bifida

you have not had a thorough history and examination

The neck is the most dangerous part because of its anatomy. There are cases of people killed or paralysed by self-manipulation or by friends "cracking" their necks.